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[FAQ] Discovering a new sensor for my project.

Jitendra Gupta
Guru 68140 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: AWR6843, IWR6443, IWR6843, IWR1642, AWR1443, AWR1642, AWR1843, IWR1843, IWR1443, AWR2243, AWR1243, IWR6843AOP, AWR6843AOP, AWR6443, MMWAVEPOEEVM

⇐ Back to Main FAQ Thread :   [FAQ] PLEASE READ : mmWave Forum Guidelines and FAQ Thread

Hey there,

Looking for a new sensor for your project or don't know which variant of mmwave sensor would fit with your requirement.

The following table will assist you with your queries during the discovery phase.

And if you don't find an answer here then don't hesitate to put a question on the e2e forum under the sensors category.

Cheers!

Query

Resolution

There are so many mmwave sensor variants, can not decide which one to buy for my project?

 At frequency bandwidth level mmwave sensor categorized under 60GHz and  77GHz. A further level category is Industrial (IWR) or Automotive (AWR) mmwave sensor.

60GHz device variants: IWR6443, IWR6843, AWR6843

77GHz device variants: 

AWR1443, AWR1642, AWR1843, IWR1443, IWR1642, IWR1843: RF front end with R4F (MCU for user application), DSP/HWA.

AWR1243, AWR1243P, AWR2243: RF front end only devices. (no MCU for user application)

Each of the above devices has different capabilities in terms of memory, processing speed, RF power which define the max range, velocity, and resolution of object detection. Refer device comparison table in mmwave sensor datasheet documents

https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/iwr6843.pdf?ts=1610737061325&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.ti.com%252Fproduct%252FIWR6843 (section 3)

https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/awr2243.pdf (section 3)

Based on these parameters you can decide which device variant would fit your requirement.

Which variant of mmWave Sensor I should select?

Selection of device depends on multiple factors

  • Max detectable range, type of object, environment of usage, frequency band policy for that application, size of end module/product, interface required on the sensor etc.
  • All the mmwave sensor variants have 4 Rx antenna and 2 or 3 Tx antenna: this defines the angle resolution, max range, power consumption.
  • Internal memory defines the capability of signal processing and further device max range, velocity etc.
  • Antenna design: this defines max range, angle. Although AoP mmwave sensor provides integrated antenna for small form factor but customer can use high gain antenna with mmwave sensor to detect objects at even longer range.
  • Refer this different experiment results with mmWave sensor for variant selection :

http://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=ADd9bRhJvFENNybXwOEJ6Q__VLyFKFf__LATEST

Which application(s) or Use-cases can  deploy mMWave Sensors?

 

TI's mmWave sensor deploy FMCW principle of RADAR and based on Data and processing capabilities can be used in a variety of sensing applications on Automotive and industrial applications listed on the Product family pages listed below. 

These links explain the different applications of mmwave sensor

 

How can I control parameters as Sample size, signal frequency, periodicity etc. of mmwave sensor ?
  • All mmWave device variants have almost same RF-front end functionalities (but with different performance) and that can be configured via mmWaveLink APIs over Mailbox (AWR294x/xWR1843/xWR1642/xWR6843) or SPI (AWR1243/AWR2243) or I2C (AWR2243).
  • Interface control document (ICD) explains all those API details where you will find profile, chirp, frame parameters which can be configured as per application requirement.
  • mmWaveLink (part of mmWave SDK) is C implementation of ICD APIs which embedded application can invoke and configure the RF-front end. Refer this AppNote explaining programming of  FMCW radar chirp parameters

Advantages of using mmwave sensor over 24GHz technology

 

Please refer this white-paper

 

How does mmwave sensor handle interference by other sensor in the scene? 

Refer this white-paper on this topic- https://www.ti.com/lit/an/swra662/swra662.pdf

 

What are the main differences between the AWR and IWR devices?

1. AWR devices support a wider junction temperature range, -40C to 125C. IWR versions support -40C to 105C.

2. AWR devices are qualified for automotive applications as they are AECQ100 qualified and ASIL-B capable. This is not the case for IWR variants.

3. Peripheral differences: Availability of peripherals and number of instances may vary between AWR vs IWR variants of the same device. Please see the Datasheets for respective devices to check the features and comparison table to see more details.

Similar Threads: IWR1443BOOST: IWR and AWR chip choices

https://e2e.ti.com/support/sensors/f/1023/p/821174/3038529#3038529

Range and type of objects sensor can detect?

 

Environment effect on sensor's performance?

 

How precise this sensor can detect object location or motion?

 

Please refer these links which have results for different experiment with mmwave sensor to showcase applicability of this sensor under different environment or scenario

 

http://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=ADd9bRhJvFENNybXwOEJ6Q__VLyFKFf__LATEST

 

Comparison of mmWave Sensor with Ultrasound technology

 

http://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?node=AHPX083Yt8TTd2IpX4vQuQ__AocYeEd__LATEST

 

What are the software provided with this sensor?

 

TI provides SDK and DFP which provides the peripheral driver and firmware. On top of TI resource explorer provides multiple other lab applications for mmwave sensor variants.

These all software are without extra cost.

 

Does this sensor has integrated antenna or provide antenna design details?

 

To reduce the module’s form factor and cost TI has launched AoP variant of mmWave Sensor. To assist you more during development process we provide much other information in form of Antenna database, white paper, datasheet, and HW design files.

 

Effect of mmwave sensor on Human Body

 

Refer this e2e thread discussing similar question

https://e2e.ti.com/support/sensors/f/1023/t/897236

 

What is the main difference between resolution and accuracy in mmWave Sensors?

It is important to distinguish between "Range Resolution" and "Range Accuracy" as these are two different (but related) concepts.

Resolution refers to the minimum distance between two objects that is needed by the sensor to distinguish them apart. As of now the minimum range resolution of mmWave Sensors is just under 3 cm.

Accuracy refers to the error in actual distance compared to what is detected by the sensor. As of now mmWave sensors have seen accuracy to within .1 mm under certain conditions.

What are frequency ranges mmWave Sensors support?

 

mmWave Sensor has multiple variants covering two frequency band to cater region based requirement.

  • 76-81GHz: AWR1443, AWR1642, AWR1843, AWR1243, AWR2243, IWR1443, IWR1642, IRW1843, AWR1642-ODS
  • 60-64GHz: IWR6843, IWR6843AoP, IWR6443, AWR6843, AWR6843AoP, AWR6443

 

Can mmwave sensor be integrated with external processor or MCU?

 
  • mmWave Sensor provides multiple interfaces [UART, SPI, CAN, CAN-FD, GPIO] over which it can send or receive the required data to/from the external processor or MCU.
  • Using MMWAVEPOEEVM interface board mmwave sensor (IWR) can even connected over Ethernet.
  • Many of E2E engineers have already integrated mmwave sensor with multiple TI MCU (SimpleLink[BLE, Wi-Fi], TDA2x, beagleboard, MSP430) and even with Rpi.
  • All the mmWave Sensor EVM (BOOST, ODS) provides many interface on the header pins which can be connected to external MCU over wire for initial development.

 

How do I get the technical support with mmWave Sensor?
  • Each mmWave Sensor provides list of technical documents at its landing webpage for product development.
  • Software Development Kit (mmWave Sensor) is provided to cover each mmwave sensor variant which provides the peripheral drivers and demo application.
  • There are multiple other type of applications are available under TI resource explorer (TI-Rex) to cover different use-cases using mmwave sensors.
  • For any kind of technical support developer can raise a query on TI e2e forum to get the reply within 24Hrs. E2E is high rated support platform where each query is assigned to concern expert so you get fully satisfied resolution.